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Thailand’s Ex-PM Paetongtarn Quits as Party Leader

AFP - Thailand's recently removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resigned on Wednesday as leader of the party founded by her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin, signaling the potential end of the family's decades-long political dynasty. Paetongtarn, 39, served less than a year as prime minister before being sacked by a court in August over an ethics breach related to her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia. The Shinawatra clan has for two decades been the key foe of Thailand's pro-military, pro-royalty elite who view their populist brand of politics as a threat to the traditional social order. But the Shinawatra dynasty has faced a series of legal and political setbacks, including...

Economy

Luang Prabang International Airport Set for Major Upgrade Under Public–Private Partnership

Luang Prabang International Airport is set for a major upgrade through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) led by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in cooperation with the International...

Laos to Upgrade National Road No. 9 in Savannakhet, Connecting Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.

Laos is set to upgrade National Road No. 9 in Savannakhet Province, a key route connecting Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The signing ceremony for the rehabilitation and maintenance projects took...

Japan Funds New School in Bokeo, Strengthening Education, Development Ties

Bokeo Province is set to welcome a new school with support from the Japanese government, contributing over USD 88,000 under the “Project for the Construction of Hatsa Lower Secondary...

Vientiane Capital Speeds Up Road Repairs in 2025 with LAK 20.91 Billion Budget

Vientiane is fast-tracking repairs on several major roads in 2025 using a budget of LAK 20.91 billion (around USD 1 million), supported by the Ministry of Public Works and...

Laos Offers Incentives, Scholarships to Strengthen Education in Remote Areas

Laos is introducing new incentives and scholarships to improve education in rural areas, linking teaching with military service to address ongoing teacher shortages.  The government’s latest plan provides a comprehensive...

Work to Start on Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway Section Two, Completion Expected by 2030

Construction of Section 2 of the Vientiane-Hanoi expressway, which will connect Paksan district to the Laos-Vietnam border in Xaychamphone district, Bolikhamxay, is set to begin immediately. On 13 October, the...

Travel

Luang Prabang International Airport Set for Major Upgrade Under Public–Private Partnership

Luang Prabang International Airport is set for a major upgrade through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) led by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in cooperation with the International Finance Corporation. The project includes the construction of a new international terminal, expansion of the existing terminal for domestic flights, and the addition of aircraft parking bays.  It will also improve airport operations by widening access roads, upgrading facilities to international standards, and possibly extending operating hours to 24/7 to support tourism and boost regional connectivity. A pre-bid conference was held in Vientiane on 21 October, chaired by Director-General of Civil Aviation Khamla Phommavanh. The meeting brought together four shortlisted bidders, including Yunnan Infrastructure...

ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor Takes Center Stage at Mekong Tourism Forum 2025

Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as a key initiative to boost regional travel and connectivity. Held...

Luang Namtha Sees Nine Percent Growth in Tourist Arrivals in First Nine Months of 2025

Laos’ northern Luang Namtha Province recorded a steady increase in tourism in 2025, welcoming 985,322 visitors from January to September, a 9 percent rise compared to the same period last year. According to the...

Health & Environment

Laos Targets 90 percent Urban Water Access by 2030

Following the recent announcement of major transport and city infrastructure projects, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) is now turning its focus to urban water access, positioning it as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Urban Water Access Expansion The 2026–2030 Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Development Plan aims to provide 90 percent of residents in provincial and district municipalities with safe, piped water. At the same time, it strengthens wastewater management, climate resilience, and overall urban livability. On 15 October,...

Sport

SEA Games Mascot Redesign Sparks Debate Over National Identity

The redesign of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2025 mascot has stirred debate in Thailand, as organizers replaced the original seven colorful characters with two new figures featuring the colors of the...

Thailand Cleared to Host Petanque at SEA Games After World Federation Reversal

Thailand will host the pétanque competition at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December, following a reversal by the World Pétanque and Bowls Federation (WPBF) of an earlier suspension over regulatory violations. As...

Politics

Laos’ Foreign Minister Concludes Visit to Brunei, Pledges Stronger Partnership

Laos’ Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane concluded his official visit to Brunei from 19 to 22 October. On 20 October, Thongsavanh...

Japan Makes History with Appointment of First Woman Prime Minister

AFP - Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative who admires Margaret Thatcher, became Japan's first woman prime minister on Tuesday,...

Thailand, Laos Set USD 11 Billion Trade Target by 2027, Eye New Infrastructure to Boost Border Economy

In his first official visit abroad as Thailand’s prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul pledged to deepen economic ties with neighboring...

Laos Signs Agreement to Build Longest Highway Connecting Laos, Vietnam

The Lao government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Phongsavanh Group Co., Ltd. to develop the country’s...

Feature

Laos Wins Best National Costume at Mister Global 2025 with Mani Khot Tree-Inspired Design

The ancient Mani Khot tree, a sacred symbol rooted in Champasack Province, southern Laos, has taken the global spotlight, inspiring the Best National Costume award at Mister Global 2025 in Thailand and earning Laos a place of pride on the international stage. Representing Laos, Youphalayth ‘Bobbie’ Phethany, Mister Global Lao 2025, brought home the award with the costume titled “The Guardian Angel of the Mani Khot Tree.” The sacred Mani Khot Tree of Champasak, Laos, is revered in legend as the Tree of Destiny.  Believed to possess magical powers, the tree is said to bring prosperity in the direction its branches point.  While Bobbie did not design the costume himself, he played a central role in developing the idea and overall concept. Deeply connected to his Champasack roots, he wanted to wear something that would stand out and reflect Laos’ rich culture and mythology. The ancient Mani Khot tree, known in Lao legend as the Tree of Destiny, became the core inspiration. “I’ve spent two weeks thinking about the concept, but I couldn’t think of anything until one night I dreamed of Khon Phapheng Waterfall, where the tree is located,” Bobbie said. That dream sparked...

Laos’ Foreign Minister Concludes Visit to Brunei, Pledges Stronger Partnership

Laos’ Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane concluded his official visit...

Japan Makes History with Appointment of First Woman Prime Minister

AFP - Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative who admires...

Laos Signs Agreement to Build Longest Highway Connecting Laos, Vietnam

The Lao government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding...

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul Arrives in Laos for 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties

On 16 October, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived...